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ACCC clears Fox Sports/Foxtel merger

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided to not oppose the proposed merger of Fox Sports and Foxtel after finding the transaction would not substantially lessen competition. Currently, News Corporation owns 100 per cent of Fox Sports and owns Foxtel jointly with Telstra. Under the merger, Foxtel and Fox Sports will be brought […]

December 7, 2017By Colin Mann

Japan: TV viewers must pay licence fee

The Japanese Supreme Court has ruled that TV owners in Japan must pay a “receiving fee” to public broadcaster NHK. Up until now the payment was seen as an obligation, but frequently ignored. The particular case before the court concerned an individual who argued that he would not pay the fee because NHK was biased […]

December 7, 2017By Chris Forrester

TVT expects 50% growth in 2018

Ian Brotherston, CEO at media facilities business TVT (which acquired the Amsterdam-based DMC play-out company from AMC Networks in July 2017) says that 2017 was proving to be a record year for his company. “We do a lot of work with Netflix and their march seems to go on and on and on. This is […]

December 7, 2017By Chris Forrester

Fox/Sky report pushed back to January

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pushed back the date for its provisional findings into the planned takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox until January 2018. It had previously said the findings would be published in December, but has now said this will happen in mid-January. Karen Bradley, the Secretary of State […]

December 6, 2017By Colin Mann

Murdoch could lead Disney

Fox boss James Murdoch is reportedly being considered as a potential successor to Bob Iger, chief executive of Walt Disney, if the two companies reach agreement on a possible takeover. According to the FT, Rupert Murdoch and his younger son, James, could take senior roles at a combined company if a deal is struck. Iger […]

December 6, 2017

ProSiebenSat.1 reveals new 3 pillar strategy

ProSiebenSat.1 Group will continue its diversification strategy and now realises over 50 per cent of its revenues outside the traditional TV advertising business. To further accelerate this successful transformation, the Group will, as of January 2018, have a new organisational setup with the three business areas of Entertainment, Content Production & Global Sales and Commerce. […]

December 6, 2017

South Africa parliament urged to investigate MultiChoice

The alleged scandal in South Africa over pay-TV operator MultiChoice and whether it abused its influence with public broadcaster SABC has now reached the country’s parliamentarians. The opposition Democratic Alliance is calling for a full parliamentary enquiry into the damaging allegations. Consumer organisation Corruption Watch is making similar demands, while the Competition Commission says it […]

December 6, 2017By Chris Forrester

Prince Alwaleed still ‘detained’

Forbes magazine’s news site says that the Saudi Arabian anti-corruption clampdown is till firmly in place, more than 1 month after a total of 320 wealthy businessmen were detained. A statement from the Kingdom’s Attorney General’s office says that 376 personal bank accounts had been frozen, with “most detainees” having agreed to a settlement with […]

December 6, 2017By Chris Forrester

Cotney appointed Imagine CEO

Imagine Communications, a portfolio company of The Gores Group and a speacialist in transformative technology innovation, has announced that Tom Cotney has been named CEO of the company, effective immediately. Current CEO Charlie Vogt is joining The Gores Group as a Senior Advisor to continue to drive M&A and business development activities at Imagine. The […]

December 6, 2017

Cottrell named SVP Affiliate Sales at AMC UK

AMC Networks International (AMCNI) – UK has announced the promotion of Louise Cottrell to Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales.  In her new and expanded role, Cottrell will oversee and manage channel sales and channel development across Africa, Middle East, Poland, Israel and Turkey.  She will continue to report to Ed Palluth, Executive Vice President, […]

December 6, 2017